Aiden Anderson poked a needle into a pink silicone tray, weaving black thread through an assortment of pre-cut lacerations. The practice exercise in suturing wounds at Mary Washington Healthcare could come in handy someday for Aiden, a sophomore at the Academy of Technology and Innovation at UMW’s Stafford Campus.
He was among about 70 aspiring medical professionals, artists, engineers and more who took part in last week’s Summer Enrichment Program (SEP), a six-day experience for rising 10th- through 12th-graders. Participants live in residence halls, take courses filled with hands-on learning and participate in extracurricular activities like the Wednesday-morning field trip introducing students to hospital practices. Part of a course taught by UMW Professor of Biology Deb O’Dell, the offering was among more than 20, covering everything from pop culture and culinary chemistry to environmental engineering and cybersecurity.
“The program continues to be a great introduction to college life,” said Associate Professor of Communication Elizabeth Johnson-Young, who coordinates SEP with Department of Biological Sciences Senior Lecturer Michael Stebar and College of Education Assistant Professor Danielle Ott. “Campers participate in a wide variety of courses, enrichment sessions and field trips, and it’s exciting to see them engage and learn what a liberal arts education feels like at UMW.” Read more about UMW’s Summer Enrichment Program.